Sylvia Waters, former company dancer: I saw the first performance of Revelations, which was at the 92nd Street Y, New York, in 1960. At the time you are part of history you never realise it, of course. But I had a very visceral experience – deeply soulful. It was different from anything I’d seen a dance company do. That version of Revelations was almost an hour long and the audience reaction was explosive.
Judith Jamison, former company dancer and artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), 1989-2011: I was at university in the early 60s. One of our assignments was to go see this company, Alvin Ailey. I had never heard of them but I was flabbergasted by the sight of this Black company. I think there might have been eight dancers, but they filled the stage. The next day in our improv class we were just copying everything we had seen.
SW: I saw several versions between then and 1965. Alvin edited it down to 30 minutes and it became more succinct, clearer, crisper.
JJ: It was a shower of blessings seeing Mr Ailey dance. He looked so muscular, not your usual “dancer”. He had a big chest and muscles, that whole macho thing. And he was gorgeous. But the dance was flowing like water. It takes your breath away.
Constance Stamatiou, dancer, AAADT: When I was a very little girl – four or five – I saw a TV show about Revelations. I was in awe, growing up in the 80s and seeing a company full of dancers that looked like me.
